Like a drug addict ready for another hit, Cyrus tenses, his eyes frozen. “I get a prize?” he asks. “Could this get any better?”
I shake my head. “Absolutely not.”
He walks over and examines the small area of prizes. Stuffed animals hang suspended from nets tacked to the walls. On the main counter, behind glass, are the tiny trinkets a person canwin after they spend gobs of money. From the way Cyrus stares at each and every single prize, I have a feeling we’ll be here for a while.
Earlier this morning when he said we weren’t going far, I didn’t believe him. It turned out I should have. We ended up at the back of the hotel most of the American families are saying at. It’s likely not an area they expected to get much use during these twoweeks. It works out for us, though, since it means there are no fans asking for autographs or reporters shoving microphones in our faces. If it wasn’t for the loud music playing from every single arcade machine, it would be almost peaceful.
“Charlie, look!”
Oh God no. When I turn it’s not my best friend I see, but a giant stuffed teddy bear Cyrus holds in front of his body. It would be rathercute if it weren’t humongous. Light brown fur with purple patches on his feet, the bear is in a sitting position with its big arms hanging off the side and cute little tuffs of purple fur in the ears.
“Wow, Cyrus. He’s huge.”
“I know, isn’t it great? I won the big prize.” His smile beams, lighting up the entire room.
These exact moments make my heart hurt. Seeing him at his happiest makes mehappy. Each time we share one I fall more in love. Hopelessly so.
“What are you going to do with him?” I ask taking a step back from the bear.
Cyrus peeks around his big fluffy bear face. “Give him to you, of course.”
“Me?” Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever found myself speechless before. What am I going to do with a big ass bear in my little room? But how could I ever turn away a gift from Cyrus?Especially one where he’s so damn proud of his win.
Cyrus tips the bear back and forth. “Don’t you love him? I remembered purple is your favorite color.”
I smile, unable to resist how excited he is over his big dumb purple bear. Of course he remembered. He’s amazing like that. “Yes, I love him. Thank you.”
Cyrus shoves the bear at my waiting hands. I’m strong, but the bear is so large, awkwardlyshaped, and heavy that I have to step back. It takes a few seconds to get my grips under control.
Okay, this will totally make me seem like the biggest loser ever, but I kind of love this bear. It’s huge and I have no idea how I will get home on the plane. But it’s from Cyrus. And he remembered my favorite color is purple. Who can blame me for falling in love?
“Of course you love it. I knowmy girl.” Cyrus’ eyes are practically bulging out of his head as he scans the arcade looking for his next target. Thank goodness he’s not allowed to bet on any competitive sports or else he might have a problem. “Look, Charlie, they have a coin drop machine.”
“Oh no. Do you remember what happened last time?”
As expected he does not listen to my warning and I’m left lugging around a huge overstuffedtoy bear while trying to catch up with him.
“What are you talking about? Last time was great.”
“What’s your definition of great?” Last time we saw one of these machines where you drop a token and it falls in a pile with little swipers to push the coins toward the edge, Cyrus lost over fifty dollars…in quarters. I still haven’t figured out the exchange rate for this country, but I know if hegets started we’ll be here a while.
Right before he reaches the coin drop machine, Cyrus veers to his right. “Never mind, there’s a racecar simulator.”
I love the bear, who I’ve decided to name Mini, but one of his legs bounces across the carpeted floor with every step. Cyrus climbs into the game, grabbing on to the steering wheel. I plop Mini beside the big plastic device and lean up againstthe edge.
Cyrus looks at me and shakes his head. “Well, get in.”
“Where?”
He pats the seat beside him. “We’re going to race.”
“Really?” I pat Mini on the head. “Are you going to cry like a little girl when I beat you?”
Cyrus scoffs and rolls his eyes. “You beat me one time and I didn’t cry.”
I circle the machine and sit in the seat next to him. “I’m pretty sure I saw a tear.”
He laughs,dropping a coin in the slot for me. “That was not a tear. I had dirt in my eye.”
